A/N: Hope you like, and sorry so short. I *will* get around to writing a nice long chapter sooner or later. Anywho, here's the crap we all hate: Only Rachel, Eliza, and Marc are mine. Everything and one else is Tammy's. Since Tammy is such a great person (not to mention author) I know that she won't sue her biggest fan. At least I pray that's the case. *KaT*

The journey on the River Drell was almost over. It had taken 2 weeks, and Rachel had grown sicker every day they were on the water. Now, she was a sallow pale green.

The long trip had been accentuated with visits from her friend, Marc. He was the cook on the floating piece of hell. (a.n. at least in rach's opinion) He was 19 years old, and had run away from home to be a cabin boy in his preteen years. He would come for an hour everyday, in between breakfast and lunch and visit her. She enjoyed his company, since she was the only passenger on board, and had no one else to talk to. The other sailors were mean, ornery young men who didn't like having to share their meals with a young noble girl.

Now as she stood at the ship's rail, contemplating whether or not she should just throw herself overboard and end the misery, Marc walked up behind her and tugged her long braid that fell down her back. "Hey, don't do that. My brother used to do that and it drove me insane!"

"Sorry," he said sheepishly. "You just looked really lonely, so I decided to come over here and cheer you up."

"The only way I could at all resemble some cheerful idiot is if I were back in Tyra."

"Wow, you must miss your great-aunt a lot. She didn't look like the…uh…family type, if you get my meaning."

"Believe me, she isn't. I'm just used to it. The thing is that everything will be so different in Tortall, and since I'm from fief Tirragen, everyone will probably hate me." She didn't mention the fact that she also was being forced by a long dead brother to commit a few murders and overthrow a kingdom. She didn't want to depress him. (a.n. lol. Sorry had to say that)

"It's not your fault you're brother did what he did." Even people from other countries, it seemed, had heard of Alex's notoriety.

"I know, but try explaining that to my parents, or any Tortallan for that matter. They're afraid I'm just as evil as he was, and that I'll just saunter in to the Royal Palace and try to murder the first person I see."

Marc snorted. "Well, I guess all I can say is that I'm glad I'm not you."

"Haha, very funny. When will we get there? I really hate being sick, and I don't think I'll feel any better until I'm on solid ground 30 miles from any near-by body of water."

"We should be getting there around nightfall actually. So you don't have that much longer to be sick. I must say, I'll miss your sarcasm. I hope you learn to like, if not love, Tortall. There's no way people will be able to resist your charm."

Now it was Rachel's turn to snort. "Gee thanks. That's the best compliment I've received in…actually it's probably the first!"

"Come now, don't be so modest. I have to get back to the galley. You'd best pack your things. Goodbye, Rachel."

"Bye." Rachel hauled her aching body down to her cabin for one last time. She grabbed her suitcase and threw in the things that she had unpacked. She looked around, scowled, and headed for the main deck for dinner and then, solid ground!

A/N: See that little box down there, use or I won't write anything else. Not that most of you care, since the story is so boring so far, but *IF* you review, I promise it will have a nice little plot full of action, adventure, drama, and of course…fluff. Wat fanfic is truly a fanfic without fluff? Buhbye, Kat